·As a general rule, you should not spend more than 30 per cent of you gross combined family income on mortgage payments.

·When purchasing a home, always remember that the price is negotiable and that you can make a counter offer.

·Remember that flexibility allows a homeowner to exploit their cash flow and pay down the principal faster. The flexibility is negotiated before you sign on the dotted line, not after.

·Shop around for the lowest possible interest rate when purchasing a mortgage or any other loan.

·Beware of the mortgage pre-approval trap as it might have you paying too much for your dream home. Just because you can borrow a large sum of money doesn’t mean that you should necessarily spend that much.

·Remember that if you are changing mortgage lenders, the same qualifying factors may apply. You may be facing both legal and appraisal fees so investigate all associated costs before you act.

·Shop around for the best deal on a mortgage before getting the pre-approval in writing. You can reduce the amount of interest paid over the life of your mortgage by opting for a shorter amortization period.

·If you are guaranteed an appreciation rate that is a few points above inflation and the monthly costs of renting are the same as buying, it is a good time to purchase a home.

·Typically, lenders are looking for you to invest 20 per cent of the appraised value as a down payment towards a home. They will normally advance the balance of 80 per cent.

·If interest rates have fallen when the time comes to refinance your mortgage, continue the same monthly payment schedule to pay off the principal sooner than anticipated.

·If your monthly mortgage payment is an odd amount, ask the lender to round it up. For example, paying an additional $21.92 per month on a $778.08 monthly mortgage increasing the payment to $800 may not seem like a lot but it amounts to several thousand dollars over the life of the loan.

·Making weekly or bi-monthly payments on your mortgage is an effective way of paying off the debt quickly.

·When the interest rates of most lenders are at the same level, the only way for them to compete is through the terms and conditions of the mortgage.

·Visit the bookstore to find publications on home ownership and obtaining a mortgage.

The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.